Mayor Rob Ford’s trip to the West Coast last weekend continues to stir up controversy.

Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart said allegations in the Toronto Star’s report, based on an eyewitness account, that drinks were served to his Toronto counterpart after the 2 a.m. cutoff set by his city could be taken up by local police and provincial liquor authorities, who he says ensure the last-call rule is followed.

“I imagine both those groups would be interested in knowing more about this allegation,” he said Saturday.

The witness told the Star that it took Ford some time to speak coherently, and then he ordered rounds of drinks, including beer, rum-and-coke and shots of Jack Daniels, with three companions after the pub was closed and patrons had cleared out.

Stewart said he’d be surprised if a local bar or pub poured drinks after hours, because he hasn’t heard of it happening in the municipality.

The Star was unable to independently verify the source’s allegations that Ford ordered drinks at the Foggy Dew after hours, but timestamped cellphone pictures depict the mayor with numerous bottles and glasses in front of him well after 2 a.m.

Foggy Dew owner John Teti declined to answer questions about what happened at the pub that night.

“I have no comment about even if Mr. Ford was on the premises. I wouldn’t know the man if he fell on me,” Teti said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

Teti said he also could not discuss the Star report due to concerns the pub may be investigated by liquor authorities.

“That's why I have no comment. It's like a judicial review, I have no comment.”

A spokesman for B.C.’s Justice Ministry, which oversees the liquor control branch, said Saturday the report was being looked into.

Ford — who vowed last year to give up alcohol — admitted he was drinking in an incident caught on video last month at Steak Queen, an Etobicoke restaurant, and called it a “minor setback.”

The clip posted anonymously to YouTube shows Ford using Jamaican profanities, at one point aiming his curses at Police Chief Bill Blair.

Ford has not responded to the Star’s questions about his behaviour at the Foggy Dew, nor did he respond to emails requesting comment from The Canadian Press.

The incident took place in the wee hours of Feb. 1, between midnight and 3 a.m. — hours after Ford was ticketed by the RCMP for jaywalking.

Ford reportedly went into a single-toilet bathroom used by male staff and did not emerge for more than an hour.

When he came out shortly after 2 a.m., he was “talking gibberish in what sounded like another language,” scratching his chest and the back of his neck and making “weird twitch-like movements non-stop with his hands,” the eyewitness told the Star.

The source did not want to be identified, fearing there could be consequences for speaking out.

More on thestar.com

We value respectful and thoughtful discussion. Readers are encouraged to flag comments that fail to meet the standards outlined in our
Community Code of Conduct.
For further information, including our legal guidelines, please see our full website
Terms and Conditions.